Clinton says Myanmar ex-junta inspired by 'West Wing'

WASHINGTON (AP) - Myanmar's former generals have looked to American television for tips on how to build a democracy.

United States (US) Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton drew laughter on Wednesday in Washington as she recounted a conversation with Myanmar's lower house speaker from her historic visit to the country last year.

Clinton said: He "said to me, 'Help us learn how to be a democratic congress, a Parliament. He went on to tell me that they were trying to teach themselves by watching old segments of 'The West Wing."'

Clinton smiled: "I said, 'I think we can do better than that Mr. Speaker."'